The Hanging Wall Moves Downward Relative To The Footwall

They bound many of the mountain ranges of the world and many of the rift valleys found along spreading margins.

The hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall.

Another type of fault is the thrust fault where ground on one side of the fault moves up and over adjacent ground. The hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall. When the hanging wall moves down in relative to the footwall it is called a fault. Along a normal fault the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall.

These usually occur when tectonic forces cause tension that pulls rocks apart. Alternatively such a fault can be called an extensional fault. Tension is stress that pulls rocks apart. When the hanging wall moves up in relative to the footwall it is called a fault.

Low angle normal faults with regional tectonic significance may be designated detachment faults. The hanging wall slides down relative to the footwall. Normal faults usually form where tectonic plate motions cause tension. A downthrown block between two normal faults dipping towards each other is a graben.

Normal dip slip faults are produced by vertical compression as earth s crust lengthens. A normal fault occurs when the crust is extended.